Huntsville started small but grew into a large metropolitan area known for its Redstone Arsenal and as the birthplace of the country’s space rocket program. Huntsville’s rapid growth includes a history of asbestos use. Search for a top-rated Huntsville mesothelioma lawyer in Alabama if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible to receive a substantial amount of compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading Huntsville mesothelioma attorneys, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.
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Huntsville Asbestos Facts
- Huntsville’s rapid growth included using asbestos in building construction and several industries.
- Nearly 4,000 people died from asbestos-related illnesses in Alabama from 1999 to 2017, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
How a Huntsville Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help You
Contact an Alabama or Huntsville mesothelioma lawyer if you have a diagnosis of any asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exposure. One or more companies can be held accountable and liable for your exposure and illness.
An asbestos attorney or firm can do several things to help you with this terrible diagnosis:
- Investigate your case and determine where and when you were exposed
- Explain your options for taking legal action
- Ensure you have the best possible chance of recovering compensation
- Maximize the compensation you receive for medical and other expenses
- File a claim for compensation with an asbestos trust if the responsible companies went bankrupt
- Deal with all legal issues so that you can focus on treatment
Finding a Top Huntsville, Alabama Mesothelioma Lawyer
A lawyer representing you in a mesothelioma case should be an expert. Asbestos lawsuits are complicated. Look for a firm that has represented and won for clients like you.
They should be familiar with Huntsville and Alabama but also have national reach. Most cases involve multiple companies located in different states. A large, national firm can get you the best results.
A History of Industry and Asbestos in Huntsville
Founded as Twickenham in 1809, the city was renamed Huntsville in 1811 to honor John Hunt, the first settler.
Initially, the city’s industry was cotton, but the economy expanded to include textile mills and railroad transportation connections as it grew.
The area became more industrialized by the turn of the 20th Century. The establishment of several munitions factories and the Army’s Redstone Arsenal during World War II catalyzed Huntsville’s recovery after the Great Depression.
After the war, munitions factories closed, but the Cold War with the former Soviet Union compelled the Army to establish its missile research facilities in Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal. At Redstone, the Army tested ballistic missiles for military use.
Huntsville earned the nickname Rocket City, and the first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, was launched from Redstone Arsenal on January 31, 1958.
Later, the Marshall Space Flight Center helped develop the Saturn rockets that took astronauts to the Moon during Project Apollo. It was also a key player in the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs.
All of these industries used asbestos to some degree for its ability to insulate and protect against fire, heat, and friction.
Where Asbestos Was Used in Huntsville
The establishment of the military and civilian missile programs and the influx of new workers created a demand for new housing in Huntsville.
While the evolution of Huntsville had beneficial effects for northern Alabama, it also has a tragic connection to America’s asbestos problem.
The industrial and residential growth boom in Huntsville and the state led to thousands of tons of asbestos being imported into Alabama. From the mid-1800s to the late 1970s, it was used to construct industrial, commercial, and residential buildings.
Asbestos is hazardous to human health. The tiny asbestos fibers are easy to inhale or swallow. Once inside the body, the fibers can build up over time. Exposure triggers asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma.
Beginning in the 1800s, some of the important industries in Huntsville that used asbestos in their buildings, equipment, machinery, or products included:
- Textile mills
- Railroad locomotives
- Sawmills
- Power plants
- Auto repair shops
- Construction
- Steel
- Aerospace
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Huntsville, Alabama?
Finding out where and when you encountered asbestos is challenging. It’s one of the first things your lawyer will do. They have access to resources the general public does not and can track down exposure histories.
Many industries used asbestos minerals and their derivatives across a broad spectrum of products and purposes.
As a result, many Huntsville job sites in both the public and private sectors are known to have asbestos exposure issues. Though many of the companies named in the list have changed names, corporate owners, or dissolved, asbestos exposure occurred at the following job sites:
- Redstone Arsenal
- Huntsville Arsenal
- Huntsville Depot
- Marshall Space Flight Center
- Jenkins Brick & Tile Company
- Huntsville Ice & Coal Company
- Olin-Mathieson Chemical Corporation
- Alabama Chemical Company
- Gulf Chemical Warfare Depot
- Huntsville Railway & Light Power Company (Huntsville Utilities)
- Dunlop Tire & Rubber Company
- Dallas Manufacturing Company
- Pate Supply Company of Huntsville
- Pipefitters Union/Local 377
- Huntsville Ice Cream & Creamery Company
- Huntsville Brick & Tile
National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers in Alabama
- UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1802 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, (205) 975-8222, 1-800-822-0933
Getting Legal Help
Keep in mind that you may be eligible for significant compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
Lawrence Holcomb
Reviewer and EditorAfter a career in asbestos abatement and remediation, Lawrence Holcomb earned a law degree to put his expertise to use in the service of mesothelioma and asbestosis victims. As a lawyer with mesothelioma focused Flint Law Firm, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama, he has litigated many asbestos cases and has helped win more than $50 million in settlements.
References
- Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Alabama.
Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/al/ - National Cancer Institute. (2021, February 10). O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding/extramural/cancercenters/find-a-cancer-center/uabccc